Digital Camera News, 4/5/08

Updated firmware for SIGMA SD14 released

Sigma has released updated firmware for its SD14 DSLR. Firmware version 1.07 increases the maximum exposure time in Bulb mode from 30 seconds to 2 minutes, and improves the accuracy of camera's Evaluative Metering mode.

For more information or to download the latest version, visit Sigma's firmware downloads page.

Student and educator discounts now available from Pentax

On Tuesday, Pentax released details on equipment discounts for photography students and educators now available through the Pentax Student Program.

Open to full-time students and faculty members at any accredited high school, college, or university, the program offers considerable discounts on Pentax's K200D and K20D SLRs as well as the maker's lens and flash lineup. Qualifying shoppers can receive rebates of up to $100 on camera bodies, and discounts of $25 to $75 on lenses and other accessories.

To qualify, students must be enrolled full-time at their institution and provide verification of enrollment in at least one photography class. Educators are asked to submit a syllabus or outline for the photography class taught. 

Check out www.pentaxslr/studentprogram for complete details. 

Kodak professional plug-ins now CS3, Vista, Intel Mac compatible

Kodak has released new versions of its four professional image enhancement plug-ins, providing compatiblity with the latest operating systems, processors, and editing software.

Version 2.1 of Kodak's plug-in suite uses the same algorithms across the board, but reworks the tools for use with Adobe's Photoshop CS3, on the Windows Vista operating system, and with Intel-powered Macintoshes as well.

Kodak's professional image enhancement plug-ins include its GEM and GEM Airbrush noise reduction and smoothing functions, the ROC color correction plug-in, and Kodak's SHO shadow and highlight balancing tool. 

Visit Kodak's pro plug-ins website to learn more or download a free trial of version 2.1. 

Fewer photo-quality printer purchases in 2007

Citing the 2008 PMA U.S. Digital Imaging Survey, PMA Newsline reported this week that fewer American households opted to buy a photo-quality printer in 2007 versus 2006.

Less than 10 percent of all households, and around 12 percent of digital camera owners, bought a photo printer in 2007; compare these numbers to 12 percent of all households and 18 percent of digital camera owners in the previous year. Falling printer prices during the last year have apparently done little to abate sliding sales.

Interestingly, there's also an apparent trend toward larger-format photo printers among consumers who choose to purchase. Market share on large-format photo printers climbed in 2007, from 71 to 79 percent of all photo printers purchased. DSLR owners are also roughly twice as likely as the average consumer to purchase a photo printer, with 19 percent of all DSLR owners making the decision to buy in 2007.

For more information and the full numbers, take a look at the complete analysis on the PMA Newsline website.